IRELAND, A NATION.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 356, 13 May 1884, Page 5

IRELAND, A NATION.

Such was the toast proposed by Mr Parnell at an Irish National banquet held in London in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Mr Parnell, in the course of his remarks, said : — He regretted that his words that night must be very few, owing to a severe hoarseness which prevented him from speaking very much. But his regret was considerably qualified by the- fact that they had amongst them a most distinguished son of Ireland, Mr A. M. Sullivan, who had kindly undertaken to respond for that toast. He would, therefore leave to Mr Sulli.an the burden of doing it justice. He thought he was entitled to congratulate the Irishmen of London upon the proceedings of that evening. He was told by gentlemen who had lived in London , for many years, and had taken part in these annual festivals in London that there had never been any assembly so imposing in dimensions or of such a character as the present. It gave him great encouragement to witness the progress of Irish the movement as indicated by that dinner. When he looked around him he could nothelp remembering that it would have been impossible a few years ago to have brought together, so numerous, so important, and so influential a body of Irish Nationalists in that city- Not only was it a good indication of the progress of their movement in London, but as he thought, it might be deemed a fair - test of tlie strength of the Irish people throughout England and Scotland also. In all the great centres of England that evening there were assemblies such as those to celebrate the day of the patron saint of Ireland. : They had in many countries of the world influential bodies of Irishmen ; but it had been reserved for them to show by the numbers and by their presence that evening what Irishmen could do to-day, and what Irishmen were likely to do in the near future. He had always endeavored to teach his countrymen, whether, at home or abroad, one lesson — that of self-reli-ance. In order to work out Ire- j i .(land's future and regeneration they '-■' ; "had to depend upon the exertion of < Irish tn;en ;at home and abroad. He ■'■' ' olicTiipt depend upon an Irish political party, and he should advise them not to depend upon a party. He did not depend upon the good wishes of any section of the English people^ although Ireland might have many friends among Englishmen, and undoubtedly had. In the circumstances of Ireland's position the nature of the case rendered it impossible for them, however well disposed, to give that effectual assistance and work which were ab' solutely necessary in order to obtain . ; '. the, welfare of Ireland. Some people ■■■■■■ desired to rely upon the English democracy. They looked for f a • great future movement among the , JSngJish democracy but he had ' : never known any important section of any country which had assumed the task of governing another country ' awaken to the real necessities of the position until they had been; compelled to do so. Therefore, he said, "Do not .rely upon any English party. Do not -rely,, upon any. English s<cHon. Do not even, rely .upon.' the great English democracy,even it may be supposed that they are favorable towards your claims. But rely upon yourselves, upon the great power which you have in every industrial centre of England and Scotland, upon the devotion of the seadivided Gaels wherever they are found whether it bn under the southern sun or across tlie wide Atlantic ; and, \bove all, rely upon the devotion and . eterminafron of our own people upon he old sod at home." They w^v; here that evening to celebrate Ireland 's day. He was confident that the future was promising, roost promising, never more promising for Ireland. \ s-pirit ; liad been. infused into the Li 4 }•< opl.> ..-, which would never die. Thc\ v deietood better to-day the weak pom • in the armour of their enemy than i ; <■ . ever did before. They understood ..mi recognised the most suitable means of attack. "Whether they looked iit *• • „ present position and prospects of «Ji-- ' Irish -Parliamentary Party, whi th. >• „ ,; they; regarded. the unprecedented uu'nn -of the .democracy of Irelaijd at horn* ■'' and abroad, or whether they consider .1 thato! all political parties, the Irish '•• VKCpr, was tlje only one which confir,dentjy looked forward to any cri^that might arise. He said the pro.- ■■■' fw-iete of Ireland were goo£ and most, .hopeful. Their country was well i, fitted bj nature to excel |among the 4 nations and. to enjoy that '[nationhood" ■ i which that toast wished foy her. TheN had a climate unequalled , by that ol ,! aiiy other part of the ivorld ; they •r had ft, people quick, intelligent, energetic, and most adapted perhaps of ! any p«oplo to excel in th|ose pursuits which went to make the glory of every i nation, and lie felt confident thatthe ; time was vei-y near when! all sections J of Irishmen would have ;an opportunity of > meeting together and celebrating on jrish soil the day that they then celebrated on English soil, under the protection of an Irish 1 Parliament ; md f>f then sending that message of peace to England which cjould never be sent from Ireland save by a selfgoverned nation. He asked them to . iris© and drink the toast off " Ireland,a Ration,"